[The $97.50 you pay to register is a 50% non-refundable deposit.][For events, The BLACK FRIDAY 20% off sale only applies to your deposit.]

Join me, Stephen Seifert, in La Vergne, TN, August 15-17, 2019, for a 3-day comprehensive guided tour of chromatic mountain dulcimer playing philosophy, technique, and music for ALL LEVELS. Regardless of your level of musicianship, I want to give you the big picture.

No matter what you’re new to or already good at, my method of playing and learning to play can help you be a better musician. This hands-on, pick-moving approach will include plenty of tunes and playing exercises designed to challenge and encourage. There ARE wrong ways to play the dulcimer. Let me help you find what’s right for you.

I want to do more than teach you how to reproduce what I or someone else has already created. I want to show you how to thrill both you and your listener with an approach to playing music that’s all about passionate creation and not just about reciting the same thing over and over. I want to give you the truth about how many of your favorite musicians do what they do. These concepts work regardless of how experienced you are or how simple or complex your music is. My goal is to surprise you with what you’re really capable of.

This intensive is geared towards intermediate to advanced musicians, but more important than specific levels, this workshop is for students interested in focusing on concepts, technique and musicianship. While repertoire will be given out, that is not the focus.

When it comes to chromatic mountain dulcimer, there's a lot of different approaches and interests. Some of you are singers and you want to be able to play any chord needed for the songs you sing. Some want to learn more about blues improvisation or how to arrange classic jazz melodies. Some want to play standard mountain dulcimer repertoire but with the occasional fancy chromatic lick. Maybe you just want to jam. Maybe you're not even sure why you have a chromatic at all. Some of you are coming from the dulcimer world and some are coming from guitar or piano. I want to help all of you and that means focusing on musicianship FIRST, not repertoire. I absolutely want to cover some fun arrangements, but I want to keep the emphasis on concepts, techniques, and solving musical problems. When I do hand out tunes, I will be using both chromatic and dulcimer fret numbering. We'll work on left and right hand technique. We'll spend a good bit of time on scales, chords, progressions, patterns, etc.

Genres might include:

American and Irish fiddle tunes

Hymns

Old-Time Songs

Bluegrass

Blues

Jazz

More than anything, realize this is one of the only focused chromatic events in the known galaxy and I want to be open and agile when it comes to sharing and learning from each other. If there's something you really want to do on chromatic dulcimer, make sure your voice is heard. I’m expecting varied levels and interests and I’m ready for it. Expect to do a little bit of everything.

When it comes to beginner vs. intermediate vs advanced, it's really hard to say who's who because the label we give depends on the topic and the technique and whether you have a rich music background, etc. All levels are welcome but I am seeking brave and passionate students who understand this unique subject requires cooperation and flexibility. If you're interested, I want you to come. If you have concerns, contact me.

Past Students

These intensives are always involving. You can expect refinements to my teaching methods, new topics, and new music. I’m always blending the old with the new. It keeps me excited but it also means you can get something new out of this class every time you take it. I’m always open to new ideas. Shoot me an email at stephen@stephenseifert.com and I’ll see what I can do.

Some of What We’ll Cover

Strumming

Flatpicking

Crosspicking

Left-hand fingering

Make hard music easier and simple music more fancy.

Exactly how to play with rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic variety.

Chords

Chord/melody

Arranging

Making up riffs, intros, and endings

Reading tablature, sheet music, and hands

Ear skills

Group playing (harmony, back-up, and more)

Worried you’re too much of a beginner or too advanced? I’ve designed these exercises to allow different levels to play together successfully. While I ask one level to do one thing, I’ll ask another level to do something different but compatible.

Beginners, much of what I’m covering is essential information that will help you immediately. Some of it will seriously challenge you. Beginners that enjoy this class are adventurous. They have great attitudes. They focus on the obvious and the easy. When things get over their head, they do their best as they wait for the easy to return. You must understand, while beginners are absolutely welcome, this is not a beginner class. For each topic, I start with the basics and gradually progress through intermediate skills on the way to the more advanced ideas. I do this for each topic. It’s a great opportunity for you to strengthen your foundation as well as be inspired by the higher level activities. Again, everything is designed to work together, regardless of your level. If you get tired, you’re welcome to close your eyes, go for a walk, or better yet, just hang on and give it all you’ve got. You won’t be judged. Come as you are, but come ready to work and pace yourself as needed.

Intermediate to advanced players, we’re going to cover many concepts from the ground to the clouds. Reviewing the foundational principles is essential to getting the harder stuff. I want to help you strengthen your weak spots as we work towards higher level playing.

Note taking and audio/video recording are highly encouraged. When necessary, I’ll shoot short summary videos of what we're working on. There’s already over 50 summary videos from past events. On the last day, I’ll send you links to the videos via email. I can also make these videos available via usb thumb drive.

I believe good musicians care less about WHAT they’re playing and a whole lot more about the act of playing itself. The point isn’t to play MUSIC. The point is to PLAY. Think I sound nuts? Take this class and find out how you can be nuts, too. I’m going to show you EXACTLY how to do it.

When

September 6-8, 2018

Where

La Vergne Public Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Rd, La Vergne, TN 37086

Each Day's Schedule

9:00 - 12:00 Morning Session

12:00 - 1:30 Lunch

1:30 - 4:00 Afternoon Session

Meals

Meals aren't included in the price but we often eat together.

Fee

The workshop fee is $195 for the three days. A non-refundable deposit of $97.50 is required up front to register and reserve a seat in the class. The remaining $97.50 is due in person at the beginning of the first day of the event. Seats are limited to approximately 20 to keep class size manageable.

Contact Information

Have any questions? Ask away! Email Stephen at stephen@stephenseifert.com.